Exaggerated Verticals by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

 

Aah, It was so nice to go to the studio today and create! After all the hustle and bustle of the holidays... the family fun and the gathering of the clan.  It was sublime to slow down and get back into the right side of my brain and lose myself in Leada land!

 

 

I decided I wanted to try some exaggerated verticals. I kind of liked the colors and movement in this painting and decided I wanted to explore it further so I used it as my inspiration and starting point. I cut up a half sheet of watercolor paper in 5 x22 inches and began.

This is my beginning...I used some old paintings and cut up pieces and collaged them onto the paper. I also used some transparencies I had created with my stamps. I applied them in a grid format and painted the bottom with various blues to give a nice contrast to the warm colors of the collage. Its hard to see the variation of the blues because of the low resolution of the photo.

I decided it wasn't quiet busy enough to my liking so I added more transparencies to give them rhythm and movement. I wanted your eye to travel from one piece to the next and yet I wanted each painting to stand alone.

 

 

This is the final version of the one on the left. I think I reached my goal of it being interesting on its own and it has a nice lively rhythm to it.

This is the middle painting. I think they almost have an Asian feel to them. Maybe it is the color combo I chose.

This is the right painting. I may mount these on black matt board to really make them pop. I am not sure yet...really enjoy the long, narrow format so may just frame them that way.

This is the final version side by side...dirty table and all! I think they could be hung in any direction and be cohesive...or alone...but I really like them more as a grouping don't you? That is the nice thing about a triptych and abstract art they are very versatile and you can change them up.

This painting is available!

Glory To God by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

Glory To God by Leada Wood ©

I shall attend to my little errands of love early this year,
So that the brief days before Christmas my be unhampered and clear
Of the fever of hurry. The breathless rushing that I have known in the past shall not possess me. I shall be calm in my soul and ready at last...
I shall have leisure-I shall go out alone from my roof and my door;
I shall not miss the silver silence of stars as I have before;
And oh, perhaps-if I stand there very still and very long,
I shall hear what the clamor of living has kept from me-
The angel's song.
                                                                                                           -Grace Noll Crowell

May you have peace in your heart this Christmas so that you too can hear the angel's singing.

Joy to the world the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King; Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing; And heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing.

                                                          MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jolly Ole St Nick by Leada Wood, Artist of Texas

Jolly Ole St Nick by Leada Wood ©

Twas the night before Christmas and all through our house...the children are bouncing and boisterous and storming the house! Christmas Eve is BIG FUN at our home. The clan gathers and makes jolly holiday cheer. There are 24 of us, 13 are children! We are so blessed!

This is my painting that my Christmas cards were  made from this year. It is a watercolor, 15x22 on rag paper. I had just finished, framed and delivered it to the bank for exhibition when my retina tore in my eye! I also had finished my last commission for the season. I am so thankful that my sight has been restored and I can continue to enjoy the beautiful world around me.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my blog and for following my creative journey. I love reading your comments and hearing from you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas Angel by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

Christmas Angel by Leada Wood©


Only two more days until Christmas day! The excitment is building...can you feel it in the air?
My wish for you is joy and peace this Christmas and the coming New Year .

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
                                                                                          Luke 2:4

 

Nutty Trio by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

NUTTY TRIO BY LEADA WOOD©


I love Christmas! Only a few more days! Ah but it only comes once a year. I can't get enough of that Holiday cheer! Family gatherings...fun with friends...the decorations...the lights...the music...the excitement in the air! I especially love  seeing the wonder and joy in the children's eyes. Making Christmas cookies or candy with my grand kids...keeping secrets...Christmas crafts. I guess you can see I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I wish that we could keep that feeling all though the year.
 
Every year I create a special painting to be used as my Christmas card. I collect Nutcrackers and the trio above is from my collection.  The Nutty Trio is from a Christmas past but I thought you might enjoy seeing them. I will be posting others along the way. It is a watercolor 15x22 on Arches paper. 

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year"
                                                                                                                   Charles Dickens
 

The Guardian by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

THE GUARDIAN BY LEADA WOOD©

In view of the horrific shootings last week I thought it would be timely to pause and remember that God is always near and in control ...even in the mist of evil.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

God's peace is different from the world's peace. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our  citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over evil. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.

I hope peace will prevail in your hearts this Christmas season. Love your family and friends like there is no tomorrow, hold them near and dear. The past is gone...the future is uncertain... Today is a gift..use your time wisely.

Peaceful Poppies by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

Peaceful Poppies by Leada Wood©


This Mixed Media  painting is 12x24 on illustration board and is available. I think this is one of my favorite color palettes. Rich, warm, vibrant earthy colors just make me feel good. I used modeling paste and some of my stencils to give this painting raised textures. I also sculpted around the poppies with a palette knife to give them a defined edge. It is always interesting to experiment and find a new way to interpret a subject. Sometimes they turn out like you imagine or they take you on a completely different path. Kind of like life isn't it...you just never know what to expect!

The Times Of Your Life by Leada Wood, Texas Artist

The Times Of Your Life by Leada Wood©




I thought this would be a good painting to post today as it is a celebration of life and love. There are messages all though the painting. This painting is sold and will live in Houston with a very nice couple. It is a 12x12 mixed media on canvas.

You never know what the day will bring...sometimes good...sometimes exciting...sometimes sad and sometimes bad! November 30th started out quiet ordinary for me, I was taking care of business in my studio, framing paintings getting them ready for delivery. I went to lunch with Bootman and our grandson Kyler and WHAM! I began seeing blood leaking into my eye, panic stricken yet not wanting to upset everyone we left the restaurant and headed for the nearest retina specialist 76 miles away.  The doctor did an emergency laser tack and told me to go home and wait for the blood to leave my eye and not to do anything. I went back 5 days later still not seeing out of my right eye. Instead of another simple laser surgery I had to go back for the real eye surgery. On Friday December 7th I had surgery on my retina to restore my sight and here I am 4 days later able to blog about it!

 Friends this is my Christmas Miracle! My sight restored! Amazing! My eyes are still a little weak and I cannot do things for long at a time but I CAN SEE! What a wonderful gift our eyesight is, please don't take things for granted...you are a walking, talking, breathing miracle!

 May God bless you and please remember to be grateful and thank Him for His blessings every day.

"Starr" by Leada Wood, Artist Of Texas

"Starr" by Leada Wood©

I love my studio/gallery, right on Interstate 20. You just never know who will wander in the door. I have had people from all over the world, literally. It is very interesting talking with them, getting to know a little about them and their country or state. I have had people from Russia, Denmark, China, Canada, Hungary, just to name a few off the top of my head. I keep a guest register to keep track of where everyone is from. This time of year is especially nice because of all the Snow Birds traveling south to warmer climates. I can't blame them...I am non too fond of the cold!

I had the nicest couple from Canada come in last week and we had a lovely visit. Made me want to visit their part of the world, I am always up  for a trip! He fell in love with Starr, said it reminded him of his wife. Starr will now live with the couple in Canada when they go back. It's a small world after all!

Chihuly Exhibition by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

Renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s brings his dramatic sculptures and installations to the Dallas Arboretum. Many of the artist’s most well-known and iconic sculptures will be on display in the 66-acre garden. The Arboretum has extended the exhibition until December 30th. It is an incredible display throughout the garden, I know it will be beautiful through the Christmas Holidays. I hope I am able to go back to Dallas and see it again! It was amazing with all the fall flowers and pumpkins.
 I thought I would share my photos with you in case you cannot get to his show. ENJOY!

     

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED SEEING SOME OF THE INSTALLATION, IT IS MUCH MORE IMPRESSIVE IN PERSON. I KNOW IT WOULD BE EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL AT NIGHT. CHECK IT OUT AND GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY! IT IS WORTH THE TRIP!

                                                         HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

12x12 Show by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

It has been a busy November...openings...receptions...demos...art exhibitions...Life is good! I want to invite you to the 12x12 show in Houston at the Betz gallery. Sorry I didn't get this posted earlier for those of you in the Houston area, the reception was last night, but you can still see the show as it will run until December the 7th. I hope you will try as there will be lots of wonderful artists from across our great state!

 There is also still time to see the Artist of Texas show at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, it will run until January. The AOT show has an amazing variety of talented artist's work on display and for sale. Pam Messar is such a sweetheart and a joy to work with! I know she will make your visit a pleasure!

Some Like It Hot! by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

Some Like It Hot! by Leada Wood©

I am so excited! October has been an awesome month for me! Besides celebrating 41 wonderful years with Bootman and going to Santa Fe I was one of the featured artists in two books and two magazines! I was published in Art Tells The Story, The Colors Of Texas, Southwest Art and in Visual Lanuage. I just had to crow! Pardon the pun :0)

This painting was juried into the Artists Of Texas Annual show at the Dutch Art Gallery, in Dallas Texas. The show opens November 3rd, with a reception from 11 to 3. I would love to see you there!

Cosmic Connection by Leada Wood, Contemporay Artist Of Texas

Cosmic Connection by Leada Wood©

This mixed media acrylic abstract is 18x24 on illustration board. I incorporated lots of textures and rich colors to this one. I enjoy the freedom of painting abstracts...it allows my creative child a chance to come out and play! I usually start with abandonment and then try to bring a little control to the painting in order to give the design a cohesive look. This one has lots of energy and movement to it. This painting is available!

Colors Of Autumn by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

Bootman and I took an anniversary trip to Santa Fe to enjoy the autumn splendor of the mountains.

The mountains were ablaze in all God's glory. Beautiful golden aspen everywhere you looked.

I know I took a lot of tree pictures! But they were so gorgeous I couldn't resist! It is not every day a flat land girl sees the trees at their peak of autumn splendor.

Last tree picture...I promise. I am a genuine leaf looker.

Not only are the trees a sight to behold but the sage was blooming everywhere! Beauty surrounded us.

I love Santa Fe in the Autumn! The light is different up there...the colors are vibrant. I am not normally a landscape painter but I am having thoughts about some of these photos! They would make lovely paintings...don't you think?

This was a friendly fellow and was the greeter at the entrance to the Santuario De Chimayo. A nice lady kept feeding him carrots so he didn't mind posing at all.

This is a very special church, the Santuario De Chimayo. People consider it very holy and make pilgrimages here. It is very old and beautiful.

No trip to Santa Fe would be complete without a stroll up Canyon Road. Art is everywhere! Fabulous galleries and art abound! An artists Mecca.

I loved the light shining through the colorful umbrellas...don't you?

Santa Fe is always delightful, any time of year. The colors of the flowers are vibrant, the turquoise skies and purple mountains...sigh. I am ready to return, maybe in the spring. I hope you enjoyed seeing a little of my trip and if you have never been to Santa Fe, it is time to go!

Red And Black Squared by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

 

Red And Black Squared by Leada Wood©

This Little Jewel is 6x6 and has lots of texture. I used a triad of red, black and grey, layer by layer. I am enjoying using a limited palette and exploring color fields a little more. There has been lots of stamping, scrapping and paint application going on in Studio Twenty! I turn up the music and create!
 This jewel is on paper with acrylic paint and I have adhered it to an 8x8 black canvas so all you have to do is hang it on the wall or place in a small easel. This one is available!
Please contact me at www.leada_w@

Color Fields by Leada Wood, Contemporary Artist Of Texas

I have been exploring color fields...doing series of them...lots and lots of them. I thought I would show you some of the more successful ones. As color field suggests, the color is the dominant element of the painting. It is the subject of the painting. You don't have to "get it" just enjoy the colors! It's all about the impact of color on your senses and emotions. So relax and enjoy the colors.

 

 

 

I used a triad of three colors. A green, red and yellow.

 

 

In this one I did a series exploring the triad of orange, gold and green.

 

 

 

Same triad as above. Love these warm, earthy, autumn colors!

 

 

 

 

I explored the triad of three different greens. A light, medium and dark.

 

 

 

 

Had to shake thing up a bit and get some brighter colors. This triad is red, magenta and orange.

 

 

 

Still enjoying those brights! This triad is two shades of violet and lime green.  I hope you enjoyed seeing what I have been up to. I know what you are thinking that anybody can just lay down color...go ahead...I dare you! I always thought that until I tried it...much harder than you think! At least to do it right. Some people spend their whole lives just doing color fields...exploring color. WOW! Imagine that. Mark Rothko was one of the masters of color fields. I will leave you with a quote from his book The Artist's Reality: Philosophies of Art, page 80:

"...abstract art does not employ subject matter that is obvious as either the anecdote or familiar objects, yet it must appeal to our experience in some way. Instead of appealing to our sense of the familiar, it simply functions in another category."
                                                                                         Mark Rothko

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my color field explorations. Thanks for dropping by!